Former DH champion wins Rock Star Invitational

Past champions face off

The Test of Metal weekend wrapped up on Sunday with the annual Rock Star Invitational Downhill, with some of the top riders in the corridor facing off on a selection of freeride and granite trails in the Valleycliffe area.

On the men’s side, past champions Jason Lorenz and Kyle Ritchie faced off for the first time, while having to contend with pro riders Mike Jones, a former national downhill champion, and Shaums March.

Jones won this year’s title in 2:49, followed closely by March. Ritchie edged Lorenz for the third spot on the podium.

In the women’s event it was youth verses experience with 16-year-old Miranda Miller taking the Rock Star title from world masters champion Pip Parr.

One of the highlights of the day was a demonstration of motorized trials, with riders heading up the same slick granite that the downhillers would be coming down.

"Basically we wanted to show people what we are all about," said trials rider Sean Dickson. "Most of these downhill trails in Valleycliffe were developed by trials riders. But we think of ourselves as mountain bikers first, and we’re trying to educate people about our sport."